Longevity & AgingRutin Restores Circadian Rhythms and Mitochondrial Health in Aging Muscle
Researchers found that rutin, a quercetin-derived flavonoid, protects skeletal muscle from aging-related damage by simultaneously restoring circadian rhythm oscillations, reducing oxidative stress, and improving mitochondrial function. Using D-galactose-induced senescence in C2C12 myotubes and aging mice, rutin treatment reversed cellular senescence markers, restored myotube formation, corrected disrupted clock gene rhythmicity (including Per2 and Rorc antiphase patterns), boosted antioxidant enzyme activities, and improved ATP production. In mice, rutin supplementation enhanced nighttime muscle performance and oxidative capacity without altering fiber-type distribution, suggesting it targets the circadian–mitochondrial–oxidative stress axis underlying sarcopenia.
